GRO Wines
2021 Cabernet Sauvignon
"Polaris Vineyard"
Howell Mountain AVA
Auction 27 | Lot No. 53
Vintage: 2021
GRO Wines
Cabernet Sauvignon
Howell Mountain
5 cases produced
Highlights
- This is the very first Polaris Vineyard Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon made by GRO Wines
- Vineyard manager Jon Dodge helped craft the style of early Napa Valley wines while at Burgess Cellars
- The 30-year-old vineyard grows above the fogline in low-vigor, red volcanic soil
- Taste the vineyard in its purest form as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon before the blend changes
Description
Winemaking is, more than anything, about farming. GRO Wines loves to work directly with those who grow the grapes. Our partnership with Polaris Vineyard is an example of this close relationship between grapegrower and winemaker.
Jon Dodge is a grapegrower, an artist and a Boy Scout leader. He is a kind, thoughtful man who shares his wisdom freely. As a longtime Napa Valley grower and vineyard manager, he helped craft the wine style of early Napa Valley wines as the grapegrower for Burgess Cellars.
The 30-year-old Polaris Vineyard grows in red volcanic soil that is low in vigor. Its location above the fogline allows for slow flavor development, giving the resulting wine a rich complexity.
This is the very first Polaris Vineyard wine by GRO Wines. Taste the vineyard in its purest form as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon before the blend changes for bottling.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
Lars Bjorkman
Winemaker, GRO Wines
Lars Bjorkman grew up in Fresno, CA, surrounded by table grape and raisin vineyards. His family settled there from Sweden just before he was born, making him the first of his family to be born in the United States. Using his offensive line football skills to get into University of California, Davis, where he initially planned to pursue medicine like his father, he instead pivoted to graduate with a degree in viticulture and enology from the world-renowned program. Lars has worked at Gloria Ferrer, R.H. Phillips, BRL Hardy’s in Australia, Flora Springs, and Saddleback in Oakville, where he now makes the wine along with owner Nils Venge--the first Napa Valley winemaker to receive 100 points from Robert Parker. He also consults for various projects.
Country born: United States
Education: B.S. Viticulture and Enology, UC Davis, class of 2000
O.I.V. summer marketing certificate, 2000
Years in the wine industry: 20-30 years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Grow or get your hands on the most consistent, best tasting wine grapes, and repeat. Let the fruit shine, and show it's AVA & vintage characteristics.
Underground Cellar
1166 Commerce Boulevard Suite D
American Canyon CA 94503
503-855-7368
Other Premiere Napa Valley Wines available from Underground Cellar:
| Winery | Vintage | Variety | Appellation | Fanciful | Auction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cakebread Cellars | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Estate Reserve | 27 (2023) |
| Ehlers Estate | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | St. Helena | 27 (2023) | |
| Faust | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | The Pact Summit | 27 (2023) |
| Freemark Abbey | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Rutherford | Rooted in History | 27 (2023) |
| GRO Wines | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | Polaris Vineyard | 27 (2023) |
| Maroon Wines | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Coombsville | 27 (2023) | |
| Stringer Cellars | 2021 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | The Fourth Horseman | 27 (2023) |
| The Debate | 2021 | Cabernet Franc | Napa Valley | 27 (2023) | |
| Tres Sabores | 2021 | Zinfandel | Rutherford | 27 (2023) | |
| Angwin Estate Vineyards | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Howell Mountain | 26 (2022) | |
| AXR Napa Valley | 2021 | Malbec | Napa Valley | 26 (2022) | |
| Grgich Hills Estate | 2020 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Yountville | Paradise Block Old Vine | 26 (2022) |
| Kenefick Ranch Winery | 2020 | Malbec | Calistoga | Kenefick Ranch | 26 (2022) |
| Paraduxx | 2020 | Red Table Wine | Napa Valley | Rector Creek Vineyard | 26 (2022) |
| Pine Ridge Vineyards | 2006 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Double Magnums of Stags Leap District | 26 (2022) |
| Smith Devereux | 2019 | Red Wine | Napa Valley | Nancy Adams Meritage | 26 (2022) |
| TEXTBOOK Vineyards | 2019 | Red Wine | Yountville | 5ive Red Blend | 26 (2022) |
| The Vice | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Stags Leap District | Batch #87 The American Dream | 26 (2022) |
| Antinori-Antica Estate | 2019 | Cabernet Franc | Atlas Peak | A27 - The Next Generation | 25 (2021) |
| Bell Wine Cellars | 2019 | Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley | Clone 7 Selection | 25 (2021) |
Winery Distribution
GRO Wines is distributed in the following markets. Please contact the winery directly for the most up-to-date distribution information and to explore commercial opportunities.